He says that self-help books tend to offer approaches to
depression that could apply to anything, such as developing more
energy.

However, they dont address the difference between normal
and clinical depression so Olsen says theyre of little use
to more than 18 million Americans.

Olsen says that anyone who suffers depression for more than a
few weeks should see a psychiatrist who can prescribe drugs or
look at other treatment options rather than going to a bookstore
for the latest feel-good manual.

Olsen knows what hes talking about. He suffered from
clinical depression for five years and even had shock treatments
before finding the medication that erased his symptoms.